Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-18
MIR. MEGILP'S PICTURE.

Mr. Michael Angelo Megilp was a young artist of
some performance and OF considerable promise.
But, Ike many other men in that position, he was
often heavily handicapped by the want OF ready
money. FOR though his pictures were tolerably
we'll spoken of by the critics and lauded to the
skies by his friends the picture dealers gave him
only very moderate price for them
StilI, In spite OF this draw back Megtlp being of
cheerful happy gO-lucky disposition. kept up
Lis courage, worked early and late In his studio,
ani believed firmly that some day favorable
turn IN MS affairs would come. He had married
ta~-' Young lady possessed of more beauty than
fortune: IN fact, Mrs. Megilps marriage portion OF
A'a" only just paid for the furnishing of the
house and studio at Kensington, where the young
couple began housekeeping.
But with the best intentions the young wife was
rot n very skillful manager, so gradually the
Megilps gIided into debt, and In due course the
traieepeOple became FESTIVE and refused further
supplies until their little bills were paid. When
". hazel Angelo and his wife came to add up
their liabilities they found that they amounted
% nearly goo. sum total which seemed terrific
u poor little Mrs Megilp.
Where ON earth we get f2OO Angy?" she
cried, clasping her hands tragicaly. IAN your
pictures. even If you could sell them, wouldn't
fetch half that
There's the furniture, you know, Madge "
hazdrded Megilp. sit was bought with your
money. What do you say to"
''O1. uDnJ--tfOh1t Sell 1t, Couldn't Dear 10 part
with all my pretty things she interrupted, with
loving glance round her drawing room, which
was quite picture of modest elegance
IL shouldn't think OF asking you TO make such
sacrifice, my DEAR replied Michael Angelo,
sOOthingly; "but could raise goo on IL
easily
You're quite-quite sure the furniture would be
safer"
Perfectly sure; and think know the man no
VIII 90 the 6uSineSS-a bill OF sale, you know-not
hl.if bad way OF raising money
Accordingly Meg1lp went next morning down TO
WardOur street, and In dirty little bric-a-brac
shop he unedrthed the worthy Israelite who was
u 06tge him with the loan.
" want E:1UO ON bill Of sale on your furni-
t'Te: said Mr.. Zerubbaoel, when the artist had
explained his GRAND Il must come down TO your
hpJs'' and see what you have got before Can give
yOI al answer"
surely you take my word that there is
more than ample security for the amount want.
Besides presents, We ourselves spent over f60O
only TWO years ago." replied Michael Angelo ang-
rily.
Mr.. Zeruobabel laid his fat forennger along his
great, hooked nose ana wlnked, adding:
Il dare say. still, Id rather have look at it
before we do business III You give me your address
III call on you Tomorrow"
Michael Angelo swallowed his yeXatiOn as best
he could gave his address, and left the bric-a-brac
shop
Mr.. Zerubabbel duly paid his visit of inspection,
aud ia the course OF a few days the negotiation
was mt dccOHIpit- The MeyilpS paid their bills,
the tradeSpeOple smiled once more on Mrs. Megilp
and matters went on quite smoothly for several
months. The interest on the GOO punctualiy
pad, and early In the year Michael Angelo finished
in- picture he Intended TO send IN To Burlington
House.
Every one who entered the studio prophesied
great things of this picture and every one agreed
tnat ''ChIte Counting Her Chickens was, so far
MeEiip'S chcf dOurTe. The artist himself founded
al hi hopes OF fame on this charming work.
- won't take penny less than f.100 for it, he
said 10 his wife after the visit of distinguished
art critic 10 his studio. 'Carper says 1t Will take
The town by sJurm-and so IL Will"
II wish YOU could sell 1t sOon," sighed Mrs
Me-;ilp. Il often leei uncomfortable about that
ore. iiul bill Oh sale-its like Embellishments
sword hanging over our heads"
.'Oh, the furniture Is safe enough" replied
Michael Angelo lightly. "But tell YOU what 1T
l.. AadZe, IL ntnd!@dpS me frfghtfully 10 have d
bill OF safe registered against me-"
WAY don't you go and see Zerubbabel and
try 10 come 10 term, win him?" suggested Mrs.
Megilp- 'Oi course, he has heard OF Chloe
every one ht>-and IL you promise TO pay him
when YOU have ,OId your picture surely he can't
refuse 10 give you back that horrid document"
Though hds,ily taxing this optimistic view OF
matters, Megiip acted on his wifes advice, and
forthv n paid visit TO Mr.. ZerubbabeIS shop.
When ne had preferred his request the br1c-a-
brac seller smiled and shook his mead
'AIcth ZcruDbdOel wasn't born yesterday he
sllu, with a cunning LOOK In hts twinkling black
eyes Your picture mayn't be worth a.fye-pound
nJt-."
IT'S worth at least 600" broke In the artist
rrddrning- ''Carper SAID 50"
who's Carpere But even II the picture were
worth 5000, gTlnned Nj Lerubbabel, at wouldn't
pay NE To buy IL AT such price. But why do you
want 10 QGash the bill OF sae?'
81 want 10 be rid OF the business IL doesn't
suit me 10 nave thing of this sort hanging over
m~-in fact, II i against Ire in my profession"
BETTER Ind the 900. then, replied the money
lender, lnsOlently: ''Out personally not fond
81 buying pig in pokes, or pictures by unknown
artist' though perhaps other people may be. 1t
l., however, Tor YOU 10 md them, not for me-
Good morning, my dear Sir. Sorry can't oblye
You
.ti1rrid Old scamp muttered Megilp as he
l"fJ .rubbabel's shop and turned his face west
ward
''Not TO be caught by chan, my fine shentleman, v
commented tine amiabe DTlc-a-brac dealer, turn
ing back into his dlngy abode. You don't get on
your bargain 30 easily as that" Then he pro-
ceeded 10 unlock nre-proof sale in the corner OF
HIS s4nctum. and glOated greesiily over the docu-
nIents Tepooing therein, documents which repre-
s-nted some remarkably hard bargain, driven nv
Mr. ZerubUabel with his lawful prey men in DIM
CIitIeS- lie was interrupted in this pleasant re-
creation, one IN which he usually spent any spare
moments ie could snatch from business, by the
entrance Of a friend and cOmpatIiOt, one Abiram
Levi. a pictuTr-ieaier by profession
After an exchange OF aEicabe greetings the two
gentlemen spent half nOur or so In confidential
conversation on the state OF their respective trades
then a. pleasant disbursement after this head
work, they imDibed several glasses OF brandy and
water and smoked as many mig h-fayOred cigars.
Fsnaps Mr. Levi consumed more than his fail
share o. these luxurles. Tor in a moment Of expan-
sion he began 10 talk over his business projects fol
the coming season
1--WE got a capital thing In view. don't mind
telling about IL, Zerubbibel, my dear boy. FOL
you're not IN the same swim, so IL doesn't matter
lilve you heard OF young Megilps Academy pic
tUrt7"
Zerubbabel shook his head, but leaned forward
eagerly, with his cunning eyes fixed on Mr.. Lewis
'>plendid tning-sare 10 make a sensation
mean 10 get hold OF II cheap, II can; and as he's
only young fellow, and apparently hard up, tht
c.iances are / snail"
Think the picture really worth having?" said
Zerubbihei. with a deprecatOry shrug.
No. doubt about IL. You see It's an attrac
tive subject. and one that Is sure take the pub
IL. hey don't like your grand historical pictures
They prefer something pretty and pastoral, AMI
thai sort OF thing Bet you what you like thi
Negilp's pictu!eil be hung on the line. AT al
events I'm going round 10 his studio In few day
10 make him an Offer for IT."
MI. ZeruDbdDel smiled and rubbed his hand
cnmpiac-I,ly. He had learned something tina
might De useful 10 him.
liz didn't get nd Of Mr.. Levi until late In Thu
afternoon. consequently IL was nearly o'clock be
fOr,. be emerged from his shop and stopped pass
Ing bus
In less than half an hour the bric-a-brac deale
was set down close To the Negilp'S door. Tn
s,.rvant who answered the bell told him that MI
NeEilp dining out that evening, and asked
lie would STE her mistress.
Thinking a lady would be an easier customer q
deal WIN, Mr. ZeIubbabel said that he would lik
To speak 10 Mrs Megtip for q few minutes Accord
inyly he Was ushered into the drawing room
where that lady shortly joined him.
"YOu have called 10 see my husband-about tn
the bill Of sale, the little woman began In
frightened tone.
well, yes, Ina'am, in q way have; but shoul,
Ike u see the picture he offered me this morn
Ing.
THE Academy picture?" suggested Mrs. Me2ip
her face Frightening Il AIN so sorry; but H.
husband generally locks up his studio when b
goes out Can't you call another day and See It.:
''Uh, yes, answered MI Zerubbabel amiably